Photos by Amanda Romankiw
I’m addicted to the rush I feel whenever I step foot inside a concert and seeing Oddly Satisfying at the Vermont Hollywood was no exception. Oddly Satisfying, comprised of Ky Newman and atlgrandma, kicked off their World Tour in Los Angeles with special guests Drew Phillips and Dorian Electra.
Newman, a UCLA alum, is most notable for his online presence of being the audio engineer of the hit podcast, Emergency Intercom. While initially pursuing a career in the tech-world, Newman transformed into a musical sensation, performing for audiences across the country. Atlgrandma, formally known as Liam Hall, makes up the second half of the DJ duo. With an experimental style that brings justice to the alternative-pop genre, the Atlanta-raised producer brings his unique flare to Oddly Satisfying. Together, Newman and Hall are transforming the world of dance music by blending concepts of digital audio workstation with brain rot culture.
As I made my way towards the stage, the opening act was already riling up the crowd. Given that they were not listed on the line up, I knew I had to find out who was performing in front of me. Turning to my left, I asked the first person I saw: none other than atlgrandma himself.
“His name is Count Baldor,” Hall told me over the upbeat hyperpop track, “He’s a producer for PinkPantheress and K-Pop artists.”
Even though it was early in the night, Count Baldor filled the venue with energy that started the show off in the perfect direction. As Count Baldor finished his set, the giant screen went pitch black. A white logo that read “Oddly Satisfying” bounced across the screen; the show was about to begin.
Suddenly, the screen cut to a Zoom call of Newman talking to his therapist. This was followed by a short film which told a humorous portrayal of Newman’s journey to becoming a DJ. With cameos of Role Model and The Dare, the cinematic short film showcased Oddly Satisfying’s approach to curating a unique form of visual and audio entertainment. By incorporating comedic bits throughout the show, Newman and Hall mastered the art of captivating their audiences, leaving fans obsessed and hungry for more. As the screening ended, Newman and Hall took the stage and the crowd roared in anticipation.
A couple of songs into their set, I looked behind me, and in the darkness of the side stage stood a tall man in a pink cardigan and red deadMau5 head. The crowd grew loud as the masked figure slinked onto the stage. His hands inched towards his head (or rather mouse head…) and a wave of silence washed over the crowd. No one moved. No one screamed. Hands met plastic, and everyone held their breath. Then, like someone turned off mute, the room erupted in unbridled cheers as Drew Phillips tore off the giant mouse head and replaced it with his signature big hat (iykyk). Their transition from Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” into a mix of 2hollis and Charli xcx was electrifying and the epitome of every pop girl’s dream.
During their set, Enya Umanzor, Phillip’s co-host on Emergency Intercom, rushed to the stage with friends to form a dance party behind the DJ booth. The crowd fed off of their energy, as the venue filled with dancing and beaming smiles. Throughout Phillip’s set, he incorporated hilarious bits in reference to Emergency Intercom. Whether it be showing off his (very real) Birkin bag or getting a (just as real) glass bottle smashed over his head by Umanzor, Phillips offered a unique experience for fans of the podcast. His stage presence made it clear that he was born to entertain.
As Phillips parted ways, Dorian Electra accompanied Oddly Satisfying to light up the stage with hyperpop beats and club classics. During their set, I noticed a man in a red and black leather jacket plug his electric guitar into a nearby amp. Struck by his color coordination with his instrument, I asked him if I could take a photo on my old digital camera, which he willingly complied.
“What’s your name?” I asked cluelessly.
“Chris Greatti,” he replied before jumping on stage and hypnotizing the crowd with his guitar.
While he performed it was hard not to notice how he owned the stage. The way he laid an insane rift over Electra’s hyperpop track was striking and something I had never heard before. That being said, I was obsessed with every second of it. Later that night, I was informed that Greatti was a Grammy-nominated producer and had worked with artists like WILLOW and The Dare.
As Greatti neared the end of his solo, a familiar beat took over the sound system and the crowd began to roar in excitement. As I looked to my right I saw Frost Children get ready to storm the stage. My jaw fell to the floor as they performed their single “We Invented Love,” featuring Dorian Electra and atlgrandma. The pop-duo consists of siblings Angel and Lulu Prost, and their electric presence sent shocks throughout the crowd. Fans screamed their song’s lyrics, jumping up and down as Frost Children took control of the audience. While they only played one song, their energy lingered throughout the rest of the night.
Exhausted from dancing my heart out to Frost Children’s surprise performance, I was left hot and dying of thirst. When I noticed someone walking down the steps of the stage, I took the opportunity to ask them where I might be able to find some water. To my surprise, when I looked up I was met with (chronically) online heartthrob, Ky Newman. He kindly took me backstage to get me something to drink…which I then jumped at the opportunity to ask for a photo of him and atlgrandma (for journalistic purposes, of course). The two happily embraced and posed for my trusty digital camera.
Before the show came to an end, Newman and atlgrandma returned to the stage to perform the finale. The DJ duo’s transformative approach to incorporating pop culture and satire with live music curated a unique experience that left an indelible impression on me and others. From beginning to end, Oddly Satisfying undeniably created a night to remember.
